1.5 years retrospective study of effectiveness of NBUVB in the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis in Tuanku Ja'afar Seremban Hospital
Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2011;27(-):19-19
Objective
The aim of the study is to determine the demographic data of local psoriasis patients treated with NBUVB, their responses
and complication to the treatment, factors which affect the effectiveness of NBUVB and duration of remission post
treatment.
Material and Methods
A retrospective analysis of patients with chronic plaque psoriasis treated with NBUVB between January 2005 to December
2009 was conducted at the dermatology clinic, Tuanku Ja’afar Seremban Hospital. Patients’ demographic data and clinical
characteristics, concurrent topical treatment, responses to NBUVB, complications and recurrences were reviewed.
Results
A total of 33 chronic plaque psoriasis patients treated with NBUVB were reviewed. There were 14 female patients and
19 male patients in the group. Their ages ranged from 27 to 78 years old (mean age = 51.8, sd = 12.7). 16 of them were
Malays (Fitzpatrick skin phototype IV generally), 12 of them were Chinese (skin phototype III) and only 5 of them were
Indians (skin phototype V and VI). The duration of disease before starting phototherapy ranged from 3 to 30 years (mean
= 12.3, sd = 6.5). All patients had improvement after phototherapy where 9 of them achieved grade 4 response (complete
flattening of plaque), 12 had grade 3 response (complete flattening except border of plaque), 11 had grade 2 response
(partial flattening, less scale and erythema) while 1 with grade 1 response(slightly less scale and erythema). Only 1 of the
patients had adverse reaction from phototherapy with pruritus post phototherapy. Durations of remission of plaque in
response to phototherapy ranges from 1 month to 60 months (mean = 10, sd = 12.9).
Conclusion
NBUVB is a good treatment option for patients with chronic plaque psoriasis as most of the patients have some remission
of plaques. It is safe and well tolerable with only 1 patient from our study had adverse reaction from the treatment.